Month: August 2016

Of all forms of luxury travel, cruise packages are the most logistically complex in terms of luggage. You’ll be packing for different cultures and climates, with everything from casual wear to a tux, in order to cover all eventualities.

Life on the ocean wave!

Usually, you’ll arrive at the departing port a day or two before boarding, meaning that you’d benefit from travelling light and exploring before taking the bulk of your luggage into your cabin. This is where the first advantage of suitcase transportation can come in handy – pack a light carry-on bag for the essentials you only need a day before your cruise, then take delivery of your bulky suitcases just before hopping on to the ship for that first glass of champagne.

Many of the best cruises start and end in different ports. For example, you may board in Venice but after an extensive cruise of the Mediterranean, your final port destination may be Istanbul. With most cruises running between seven and 14 days, it’s obvious that you need a full set of luggage and several changes of outfit for the journey. Why not have your luggage sent to meet you as you board, and have a premium luggage delivery service take it from you – washing and all – as soon as you’ve stepped off the boat? An added advantage of this is if you inevitably end up with more luggage than you boarded with – one of the highlights of any cruise is to shop!

The final advantage is that you’re then “luggage free” (read: hassle free!) as you go from ship to plane to home, with none of the stress and aggravation of getting to the airport, checking in heavy bags when you get there, and then dragging the whole lot home. Suitcase transportation means that your bags will be waiting for you when you get home, and your precious souvenirs and duty-free port bargains safe and intact.

Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or it’s a honeymoon or holiday of a lifetime, having your luggage picked up and delivered makes an already luxurious experience the epitome of a true luxury travel service.

If you’re going abroad on an important trip – whether it’s for a holiday, a family event or any other non-work trip – you might enjoy it more if you’ve got your beloved pet with you. In fact, it might be something you need to factor in, because you may not have any other choice.

If that’s the case, then most airlines will accommodate most domestic pets. However, there are a few things to think about before you book your tickets.

Please take me with you!

Do they really need to go?

Do you crave your pet’s company so much that you can’t do without them? Will they be more distressed at home without you than they would at getting on a plane? Weigh up your options before you book anything, so you know whether they need to come with you or not.

What does the vet say?

Have your pet checked out by a vet before you go, to ensure that they’re fit to fly. The vet may also recommend some ways to keep your pet calm and well-behaved during the flight.

Check your destination

Some countries are extremely strict about animals coming into the country, and others less so. Find out what the law is in your chosen destination before you try to take your pet with you, otherwise you could find yourself in hot water.

Find out re-entry conditions

If you’re taking your pet away and plan on bringing them back again, find out what the re-entry regulations are for bringing the back into the country. Will they need to be quarantined? Do they have to be wormed? There are some laws specifically aimed at making sure only disease-free pets come back into the country, even if they started out here in the first place.

Speak to the airline

Every airline has their own policy for flying with pets, so speak to your airline first or go onto their website to see what their specific guidelines are.

For all your other precious cargo, premium luggage delivery is available to remove the stress of travelling by air. With First Luggage, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that your luggage will be handled with care, tracked and delivered straight to you at your destination.

Whether you’re travelling overseas to meet a new client or to make a presentation, no matter what your purpose, business travel can be stressful and exhausting at the best of times. From making sure that you’ve packed the right equipment, to practising your speech and remembering names, travelling overseas with work can prove demanding. Yet, with a little pre-planning and organisation, you can make the most of your travel time and arrive feeling refreshed and raring to go.

We’ll cary your bags, you enjoy the journey.

Getting your luggage safely and securely from A to B is important for any traveller, but when you’re jetting off with work, it’s even more critical. If you’re bringing along items of equipment or work documents, making sure they turn up on time and in one piece will be your main priority. This is especially the case if you’re only away for a few days, and you want to make the right impression with clients. Business travel can be expensive and time consuming, so making the most of every moment at your destination may be crucial to the success of your trip, and chasing lost luggage or replacing damaged items may be the last thing you need.

Luggage can go astray, so for peace of mind, it can be worthwhile making use of a premium luggage delivery service, who will guarantee your items arrive safely at your destination and on time. We use state of the art satellite technology so that we always know where your bag is. SO even if the airline lets you down, we wont.

Instead of keeping an eye on your baggage, you can work on your laptop, or even catch up on sleep, so you’re prepared and alert upon arrival.

Using a suitcase transportation service is actually a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things, especially if you need to carry lots of work items. It can also ensure you avoid baggage charges on arrival at the airport, which can be costly and inconvenient, and not the ideal way to start your business trip!

Let’s face it: not everyone wants to receive a fridge magnet or a bag of sweets as a holiday souvenir, no matter how easy they are to fit into your luggage. To avoid the tourist tat, go for timeless classic collectibles. Here’s what you should buy, and why.

Er…not so much.

Textiles

Morocco is a craft-lover’s heaven, but don’t miss the intricate carpet stalls in Marrakech’s souks. The most popular Moroccan carpet types are found in the Berber Market, particularly the Beni Ourain and Beni Mguild varieties. To avoid baggage charges, why not ship your rugs with us? If you like folk art, Navajo blankets are a great starting point. You can tour the famous Pendleton Mills, where the blankets have been made for generations, in Oregon and Washington. Oregon also has the 100-year-old Cameron Trading Post.

Artwork

If you buy from a local artist on your travels, you’re supporting the local economy. Ask your hotel concierge for recommendations of nearby galleries. The Gallery of Caribbean Art, in Barbados, sells art from across the Caribbean, while St. Lucia’s Inner Gallery is the darling of the island’s art scene. Alternatively, try a city like Miami in Florida. Its art fair calendar includes Art Basel Week, Pulse Miami Beach and the Ink Miami Fair.

Antiques

Buy a piece of the past – it’s a unique souvenir to impress your friends. Take a break from learning the tango and visit the popular San Telmo Antiques Fair in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which comes recommended by National Geographic Traveler; it’s held every Sunday. Lille, France, hosts Europe’s biggest annual flea market on 3rd and 4th September 2016. Only an hour’s train ride away from Paris, it’s easy to browse this vast array of antiques on a city break. If you can’t make it to Lille, shop in the Village Saint Paul area of Paris, or in the streets surrounding the Alésia metro station.

Whatever you choose to bring home, keep it a memorable and classic investment by letting First Luggage take care of it for you.

There’s no doubt that travelling abroad with youngsters can prove challenging and stressful, whether it’s your first time or not. Even if your travel plans have been executed with military precision, when you journey as a family, we all know that even the best laid plans don’t always come to fruition, whether it’s a delayed flight, or an item of luggage that fails to turn up at your final destination.

That surf board will never fit in the case!

Although we can’t always control every situation, there are some things we can do to reduce the stress of travelling, and ensure the journey with little ones goes as smoothly as possible. One of the biggest challenges of travelling overseas with youngsters, especially babies and toddlers, is having to lug along all of their much-needed paraphernalia. When you’re trying to juggle oversized suitcases, with buggies, car seats and other essential items, while simultaneously attempting to calm down tired toddlers, tempers can soon start to fray and stress levels soar, long before you’ve stepped on the plane.

In such cases, you might consider using a suitcase transportation service to take the hassle of travelling with little ones out of the equation. By having your luggage already taken care of by professionals, you can relax in the knowledge that it will arrive safely at your destination, leaving you with only needing to contend with keeping the kids happy and entertained.

A premium luggage delivery service uses state-of-the-art tracking technology, giving you complete peace of mind that when you arrive at your destination, your luggage won’t have accidentally gone astray. When you’re travelling with youngsters, especially babies, this is particularly crucial, since you may be reliant on many of the items you’ve transported or packed in your case.

A luxury travel service that organises suitcase transportation to your final destination lets you enjoy your family holiday right from the start, without any stresses or worries. This is especially beneficial if you’re travelling a long distance with little ones, or going away for a lengthy period of time, where you don’t relish having to wait for your luggage with jet-lagged children in tow.

Why not get a quote now? It might be more affordable than you think. Especially when considering those excess baggage charges!